Skoppe Compare helps contractors review bids in a structured way. Instead of jumping between spreadsheets, emails, PDFs, and notes, the team can compare each bidder against the same scope, review issues, create flags, and understand the adjusted total before making an award.

Why bid leveling needs a clear workflow

Subcontractor bids are rarely identical. One bidder may include an item that another bidder excludes. One bidder may carry a different quantity. A low price may be a true savings, or it may be missing scope. Without a clear workflow, teams can award work based on the wrong number. Skoppe Compare is designed to make those differences visible before the award decision is made.

How to use Skoppe Compare

  1. Open the trade you want to review and go to the Compare tab.
  2. Review each bidder side by side against the scope items for that trade.
  3. Use the issue filters to focus on items that need attention, such as missing scope, price outliers, or quantity conflicts.
  4. Open each review item and decide whether to accept the adjustment, ignore it, or create a bidder-facing flag.
  5. Use flags when clarification is needed from a subcontractor, especially for missing scope, exclusions, unclear quantities, or pricing questions.
  6. Turn on the heat map when you want a quick visual read of low, middle, and high pricing across bidders.
  7. Review the adjusted total row to see how accepted adjustments change each bidder’s comparable total.
  8. Use the adjusted total, open flags, and scope review history to support the final award decision.

Best practices for cleaner bid leveling

  • Do not award only from the base bid number. Always review the adjusted total.
  • Use review items for internal leveling decisions and flags for bidder-facing questions.
  • Keep issue labels simple so the team can quickly understand what needs attention.
  • Use the heat map as a visual aid, not as the only reason to choose a bidder.
  • Resolve or ignore review items so the comparison does not stay cluttered with old decisions.
  • Document accepted adjustments clearly so the award recommendation is easier to explain.
  • Review missing scope carefully because a low bid can become expensive after exclusions are corrected.

FAQ

What is the Compare tab used for?

The Compare tab is used to review subcontractor bids side by side against the same trade scope. It helps the team identify missing scope, price differences, quantity conflicts, and adjusted totals.

What is a leveling issue in Skoppe?

A leveling issue is an item that may need review before awarding the trade. Examples include missing scope, price outliers, quantity conflicts, or items that require a bidder clarification.

When should I create a flag?

Create a flag when the issue needs a response or clarification from a bidder. For example, if a bidder shows $0 for an item that should be included, the team can flag it and ask the bidder to confirm.

What does accepting a review item do?

Accepting a review item confirms that the adjustment should be included in the bidder’s adjusted total. This helps the team compare bids on a more accurate basis.

What does ignoring a review item do?

Ignoring a review item means the team reviewed it and decided not to apply an adjustment. This keeps the comparison clean and prevents the same issue from distracting the team.

What is the heat map for?

The heat map visually shows how each bidder’s pricing compares across scope items. It can help identify low, middle, and high prices quickly.

What is the adjusted total?

The adjusted total is the bidder’s total after accepted leveling adjustments are applied. It gives the team a clearer number to compare before awarding the work.